The Mint Julep Reworked

Drink

At the Kentucky Derby this weekend, there are only two certainties: thoroughbreds will run for the roses, and thousands standing on two feet will sip on bourbon smashed with mint. Jockeys and juleps are intrinsically linked in the culture of Churchill Downs. The classic Mint Julep has been the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby for more than a century, and each year, the demand calls for 1,000 pounds of fresh mint for muddling.

But if you can’t make it to the track to see Orb, Normandy Invasion or Goldencents vie for the prize, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy the other half of the derby tradition. To help us better understand this Kentucky treasure, the cocktail crafters at downtown Louisville’s Proof on Main shared three different versions to try this weekend.